Pinion/cedar forests under attack

[B_F_E]

LAST EDITED ON May-26-04 AT 10:17PM (MST)[p]Local biologist call these trees P/J forests, as in Pinion Junipers.

Since I like to take note of dead trees that I might latter come back & harvest for wood burning purposes, I like to look at the trees as I pass by scouting, or waisting time in the hills.
To my dismay I have noticed up to 10% of these trees in some areas, in various stands.
In talking with people, I have herd both theory's of prolonged drought conditions, or a beetle that is killing these trees.
The altitudes I have noticed this phenomena is primarily from 6 to 8 thousand feet, in the county's are Sevier & Piute, in Southern Utah, I am sure this will have an adverse effect on mule deer.

I have 3 questions,

1. has anyone else noticed this ? if so
2. Is this an isolated occurrence ?
3. what is the cause of such a large die off & can it be stopped ?

I would like to here from any wood cutters.

 

[hornaddiction]

These trees are being killed in southwestern colorado by beatles.

 

[graybeard]

Is that a bad thing???? About the only thing they're good for is cover and they cover way too much. The understory could put rain and sunshine to good use. Am I wrong??? Steve

 

[alwayzbhuntin]

AZ is getting hit bad too with the beetles...and the drought is not helping much either.

 

[B_F_E]

LAST EDITED ON May-26-04 AT 10:31PM (MST)[p]Thanks for the prompt reply,
at this rate whats going to stop the onslaught

 

[ktg]

LAST EDITED ON May-26-04 AT 10:30PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON May-26-04 AT 10:29?PM (MST)

One of the Mule Deer Foundation's projects is/was removal of large areas of these trees, living and dead, east of Strawberry if memory serves me correctly. They had a new attachment for a skidsteer loader designed just for the job. Apparently the thick PJ forests are too thick. Now the dying sage brush is another matter.

 

[BeanMan]

BFE,

The death of large numbers on Pinyon trees are caused by two factors. Long term drought has weakened the pinyons natural ability to fight off disease and attacks. The mild winters and large numbers of susceptible hosts (stressed pinyons) have allowed the Pinyon Ips beetle, which is naturaly present in lower numbers, to increase their populations dramatically. If you are in an area that has only lost 10% of your trees consider yourself lucky. The area from Cortez to Albequerque has lost up to 80% of their pinyons. It is hitting us in the Grand Junction area too. Insects run in population cycles and the Ips beetle is at it's peak. Only a series of wet and cold winters will change this pattern.

Next time you see a dead pinyon get out and strip the bark, you will find that there is a layer of brown granular rust material just under the bark. This is insect poop (Frass) and the remnants of the food and water conducting ltissue of the tree (cambium). I spray my lanscape pinyons on a three time a year basis but there is nothing that can be done about the PJ forest.

BeanMan

 

[Longun]

A lightning strike and forest fire.

 

[caelkhnter]

It is my understanding that last year in Az. more trees were killed by the bark beetle than died in the huge Rodeo-Chedeski fire. No question this prolong drought is going to have long term changes and effects on the wildlife.

 

[NMRaptor]

Same thing going on here in NM. Driving past Santa Fe it is very noticable. From my observations it seems to be more prevalent on the western side of the Sangres. About 1.5 to 2 hours northeast of Santa Fe on the eastern side of the sangres the P/J stands look healthy.
-Raptor

 

[COHunter]

The local Biologist told me the PJ's are the reason for the low deer numbers along HWY 50 from Canon City to Salida. Their way too thick in that area. He went on to say that the same region used to be one of Colorado's deer factories before the PJ's became over abundant and crowded out all the high value forage. Now the area is 30-40% under the total deer numbers they would like to see there.

 

[oakbrush]

This is from pg.5 of Utah's wildlife review magazine, winter 03: "Depending on the vegetation makeup desired by range scientists, encroachment of pinyon and juniper trees, weeds, and other vegetation types can also negatively impact winter rangelands. About one-third of the state is covered with pinyon and juniper. Both trees tend to crowd out desirable browse plants for muledeer. In some cases where these trees have been removed, as much as 30 times more deer browse and other food is produced than previously grew in the area."

Sounds like a die off of P&J wouldn't be all that bad. Here is a link to the magazine in PDF format.

http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/publications/wildlife_review/03_winter.pdf